High Court of KeralaSingle Judge2023-10-04Disposed of

O. Devadas and others v. Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner, EPFO, and others

Case / Petition Number:WP(C) No. 23799 of 2020

Case Details & Bench

Court: High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges: Sathish Ninan
Judgment Date: 2023-10-04
Court Decision / Holding: Writ petition disposed of; petitioners are permitted to file appropriate applications seeking enhanced pension in terms of the amended Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme and the directions of the Supreme Court. If such an application is submitted, it shall be considered by the appropriate authority of the EPFO without delay.
Final Disposition: Disposed of

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

O. Devadas
P. Muraleedharan
Purushothaman K.
Sunil K.M.
Nelson Herik P.
Ajith O.K.
Nandanam K.V.
Satheeshan V.
Rathnakaran P.
Jayaprakash P.
Rajan P.
N. Premanand
Pannian Mohanan
Hari C.
JayaDevan P.V.
Ramachandran V.V.
Chandran K.
Suresh Babu P.
Anil Kumar P.
Aneesh Kumar T.K.
A. Dinesh Babu
Chandu V.
Prakashan P.
Mohanam M.V.
Vinod Kumar A.
Prasanna Babu N.K.
Ramachandran K.
Prakashan V.K.
Krishnamma M.
Sasikala N.
Divakaran K.
Sumithra M.
Sureshan P.P.
Muzammil K.V.
Wilfred Nelson
Chithran P.
Karunakaran K.
Venugopalan P.
Suresh P.
Valsan K.
Anoop P.
Premarajan K.
Krishnakumar K.K.
Suhasanan A.
Damodaran K.
Ramachandran P.P.
Vanaja K.P.

Respondents

Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner, Sub Regional Office, Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), Kannur

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

• P.N.Mohanam
• Sri.C.P.Sabari
• Smt.Amrutha Suresh

Counsels for Respondents

• Sri.K.C.Santhoshkumar

Case Synopsis & Summary

Petitioners, numbering 49 individuals, challenge the claim for a higher pension under the Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme as amended in 2014. The petition contends entitlement to enhanced pension under the amended scheme, relying on its validity and implementation. The Supreme Court has upheld the amended scheme in Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation and Another v. Sunil Kumar.B. (2022(7) KHC 12), and the Kerala High Court notes this finding. The learned Standing Counsel for respondents points out that, in light of the Supreme Court judgment, petitioners may file a fresh application under the amended scheme for enhanced pension, which could be considered in accordance with the scheme and the directions in the judgment. The High Court agrees with this approach and disposes of the petition, directing that if the petitioners submit appropriate applications seeking enhanced pension under the amended scheme, the competent authority of the EPFO shall consider them without delay. The decision thus aligns the petitioners’ claim with the amended framework and the Supreme Court’s rulings, while preserving the petitioners’ opportunity to pursue enhanced pension within the revised scheme. Exhibits and prior orders relate to the development of pension matters and the GSR 609(E) (2014). The matter was heard on 04.10.2023 and the judgment was delivered on the same day.

Provisions of Law Cited

Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme – 2014 amendmentGSR 609 (E) dated 22/08/2014

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The petitioners seek higher pension under the EPF Scheme as amended in 2014, contending that the amended scheme is valid and applicable to their cases. They rely on the Supreme Court’s upholding of the amendment (Sunil Kumar B.) to press for enhanced pension under the revised scheme. They seek an expedited consideration of their claims through the amended framework.

Contentions of Respondents

The respondents’ counsel submits that, following the Supreme Court’s decision, petitioners should file fresh applications under the amended scheme, which must be considered by the EPFO as per the scheme and the Supreme Court directions. The court is urged to allow processing of such applications without delay.

Cited Precedents (1)

Case Name	Citation	Treatment	Explanation
Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation and Another v. Sunil Kumar.B.	2022(7)KHC 12	Positive	The judgment cited confirms the validity of the 2014 amendment to the EPF Scheme, supporting the petitioners’ route to seek enhanced pension under the amended scheme.

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Extracted Judgment Text

Exact text extracted from official judgment records.

## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** ## **THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SATHISH NINAN** **WEDNESDAY, THE 4[TH] DAY OF OCTOBER 2023 / 12TH ASWINA, 1945** ## **WP(C) NO. 23799 OF 2020** ## **PETITIONERS:** - 1 O. DEVADAS AGED 58 YEARS OTHAYOTH HOUSE, ONDENPARAMBA, P.O. CIVIL STATION, KANNUR-670002. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00060539 - 2 P. MURALEEDHARAN, PAYYANADAN HOUSE, ONDEN PARAMBA, CANAL ROAD, KANNUR670002. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00064601. - 3 PURUSHOTHAMAN K. KOTTATH HOUSE, KILASHI, AYIKKARA, P.O. GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL, KANNUR-670017. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00057166 - 4 SUNIL K.M. NANDANAM, P.O. EDACHOVVA, KANNUR-670005. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00065655 - 5 NELSON HERIK P., SARON NIVAS, BAKKALAM, KANNUR-670002. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00053693. - 6 AJITH O.K. AISWARYA, NEAR CHAITHYA HOSPITAL, THALAP, KANNUR670002. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00055237. - 7 NANDANAN K.V. KOLOTH HOUSE, PUZHATHI, KAKKAD, KANNUR-670005. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00066475. - 8 SATHEESHAN V., MUNICIPAL QUARTERS, THANA, KANNUR-670012. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00066344. - 9 RATHNAKARAN P. KANNUR SPINNING MILL QUARTERS NO.27, P.O. KAKKAD, KANNUR-670005. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00060595. - 10 JAYAPRAKASH P., PATTANICHI HOUSE, P.O. THAYYIL, KANNUR-670003. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00061623. - 11 RAJAN P. KOYILERIAN HOUSE, CHIRAKKULAM, KANNUR CITY, KANNUR. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00057167. Wpc no.23799 of 2020 -: 2 :- - 12 N. PREMANAND, PREE NILAYAM, KURUVA, P.O. KADALAYI, KANNUR670007. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00056965. - 13 PANNIAN MOHANAN, MADHAV VILLA, P.O. CHOVVA, KANNUR-670006. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00055236. - 14 HARI C., QUARTER NO.17, SPINNING COLONY, KAKKAD, KANNUR-670005. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00056964. - 15 JAYADEVAN P.V. ATHIRAKAM, MUNDAYAD, KANNUR. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00063326 - 16 RAMACHANDRAN V.V. SREERAM, EAYAVOOR, MUNDAYAD P.O., VARAN, KANNUR-670594. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00059096. - 17 CHANDRAN K. PULIYANGOT HOUSE, EDACHOVVA, P.O.CHOVVA, KANNUR-670006. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00059077. - 18 SURESH BABU P. KUZHIPPALLI HOUSE, KURUVA, P.O. KADALAYI, KANNUR-670007. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00060597. - 19 ANIL KUMAR P., ANUGRAHA, CHALA 12 KANDY, THOTTADA P.O., KANNUR -670007. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00057165. - 20 ANEESH KUMAR T.K. ANUGRAHA, P.O. PALLIKKUNNU, EDACHERY VAYAL, KANNUR-670004. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00064793. - 21 A DINESH BABU, AALAMBALLI HOUSE, ONDEN PARAMBA, KANNUR670002. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00063518. - 22 CHANDU V., EDAVAN HOUSE, VIATNAM COLONY, P.O. KEEZHPALLY, ARALAM, KANNUR-670704. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00058441. - 23 PRAKASHAN P. DILNA NIVAS, ARATHIPARAMBA, NARIKKAMVALLY, KANNUR-670501. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00065663. - 24 MOHANAN M.V. PUTHANVEEDU, VARAM, ELAYAVOOR, KANNUR-670594. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00057387 Wpc no.23799 of 2020 -: 3 :- - 25 VINOD KUMAR A. VASUMATHI NIVAS, NEAR AANAKULAM, SOUTH BAZAR, KANNUR CIVIL STATION, KANNUR. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00066269. - 26 PRASANNA BABU N.K., AMBADI, ODAKKAD, PATHIRIYAD, KANNUR-670741. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00063462. - 27 RAMACHANDRAN K. MANCHANKOTTE HOUSE, P.O. KIZHUNNA, KANNUR670007. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00066476. - 28 M.M. ANOOP KUMAR, KANNIYATH HOUSE, P.O. CHOVVA, KANNUR-670006. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00066268. - 29 RAMAKRISHNAN K. KUNNOTH HOUSE, P.O. PATHIYARAKKARA VIA, VADAKARA-673111. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00063783. - 30 PRAKASHAN V.K. QUARTER NO.7, SPINNING COLONY, KAKKAD, KANNUR670005. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00057785. - 31 KRISHNAMMA M. BHARATHALAYAM, P.O. ALAVIL, KANNUR-670008. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00057168. - 32 SASIKALA N. CHAITHANIAM, NEAR KADAMBUR HIGH SCHOOL, P.O. KADAMBU, KANNUR-670663. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00066565. - 33 DIVAKARAN K. PADMALAYAM, P,O. CHALAD, KANNUR-670014. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00065326. - 34 SUMITHRA M., SASEENDRA NIVAS, AZHIKODE, KANNUR-670009. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00063503. - 35 SURESHAN P.P. PARAKANDI HOUSE, EACHUR, KANNUR-670591. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00065326. - 36 MUZAMMIL K.V. KUNHU, VALAPPIL HOUSE, SHADULIPPALI, P.O. KOTTALI, KANNUR-670005. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00066343. Wpc no.23799 of 2020 -: 4 :- - 37 WILFRED NELSON, MEETHAL HOUSE, ONDEN ROAD, 37/361, NEAR ST. ANTONYS CHURCH, KANNUR-670001. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/1809. - 38 CHITRHAN P., SPINNING QUARTER NO.13, KAKKAD, KANNUR-670005. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00066846. - 39 KARUNAKARAN K. MAVILA HOUSE, CHIRAKKAL P.O., KANNUR-670011. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00066868. - 40 VENUGOPALAN P. RAGHAVANAGAR COLONY, P.O. KATTAMBALLY, KANNUR. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00065581. - 41 SURESH P. JYOTHIS, NEAR PAPPINISSERI PANCHAYATH, KANNUR670561. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00064828. - 42 VALSAN K. VANIYANKANDY HOUSE, EDACHOVVA, P.O. CHOVVA, KANNUR-670006. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00066828. - 43 ANOOP P., ANJANEYA, NEAR MADAYAN PEEDIKA, P.O. KAKKAD, KANNUR-670005. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00066830. - 44 PREMARAJAN K. KANNOTH HOUSE, MOCHERI, P.O. MAVILAYI, KANNUR670622. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00065920. - 45 KRISHNA KUMAR K.K. SPINNING QUARTER NO. 2, KAKKAD, KANNUR-670005. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00066926. - 46 SUHASANAN A. ARINGALAN HOUSE, THAVAKKARA, KANNUR-670002. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00066925. - 47 DAMODARAN K. SOUGANDHIKAM, KUNHALATH, P.O. CHOKLI, POST PALLOR, KANNUR. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00059770. - 48 RAMACHANDRAN P.P. VALAPPANDIYIL HOUSE, P.O. PARAL, KANNUR. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00059515. - 49 VANAJA K.P. KUNHIPARAMBATH HOUSE, P.O. CHOKLI, KANNUR. P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00064673. Wpc no.23799 of 2020 -: 5 :- BY ADVS. P.N.MOHANAN SRI.C.P.SABARI SMT.AMRUTHA SURESH ## **RESPONDENTS:** - 1 ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, SUB REGIONAL OFFICE, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION (EPFO), P.B. NO. 117, FORT BUILDING, V.K. COMPLEX, FORT ROAD, KANNUR670001. - 2 CANNANORE SPINNING AND WEAVIING MILL, REPRESENTED BY GENERAL MANAGER, KAKKAD, KANNUR-5. - 3 CANNANORE SPINNING AND WEAVING MILL, REPRESENTED BY GENERAL MANAGER, PALLOOR MAHE, NEAR CHOKLI, PONDICHERRY-673310. BY ADV SRI.K.C.SANTHOSHKUMAR THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 04.10.2023, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ## **Sathish Ninan, J. ============================== W.P(C) No.23799 of 2020 ========================== Dated this the 4[th] day of October, 2023** ## **JUDGMENT** The claim of the petitioners is for higher pension in terms of the Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme – 2014 amendment. The validity of the amended Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme was upheld by the Apex Court in _**Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation and Another v. Sunil Kumar.B. [2022(7)KHC 12]**_ . 2. The learned Standing counsel for the respondents points out that, in the light of the Supreme Court judgment, it is open for the petitioners to make a fresh application in terms of the amended scheme claiming higher pension, which could be considered in accordance with the scheme and the directions in the judgment. Resultantly, the writ petition is disposed of, permitting the writ petitioners to file appropriate application seeking enhanced pension in terms of the **W.P(C) No.23799 of 2020** **==> picture [34 x 9] intentionally omitted <==** amended scheme and the directions of the Supreme Court. If such an application is submitted, the same shall be considered by the appropriate authority of the Organization without delay. **Sathish Ninan, Judge** SVP ## **APPENDIX OF WP(C) 23799/2020** |PETITIONER EXHIBITS|| |---|---| |EXHIBIT P1|A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED| ||04/11/2011 IN WPC NO.6643/2007.| |EXHIBIT P2|A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED| ||31/03/2016 IN SLP NO.7074/2014.| |EXHIBIT P3|TRUE COPY OF THE PROCEEDINGS DATED| ||20/02/2007 ISSUED BY THE FIRST| ||RESPONDENT.| |EXHIBIT P4|A TRUE COPY OF THE GSR 609 (E) DATED| ||22/08/2014.| |EXHIBIT P5|A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED| ||12/10/2018 IN WPC NO.33249/2016.| |EXHIBIT P6|A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED| ||01/04/2019 IN SLP NO.9610/2019.| |RESPONDENT EXHIBITS|| |EXHIBIT R1|TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 27/12/2018| ||AND ITS EXPLANATORY STATEMENT DATED| ||20/06/2019.|